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gerry

milton, ON, Canada | Member Since 2010

4
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 8 reviews
  • 41 ratings
  • 95 titles in library
  • 9 purchased in 2013
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  • What It Is Like to Go to War

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 47 mins)
    • By Karl Marlantes
    • Narrated By Bronson Pinchot
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (204)
    Performance
    (177)
    Story
    (177)

    In 1969, at the age of twenty-three, Karl Marlantes was dropped into the highland jungle of Vietnam, an inexperienced lieutenant in command of a platoon of forty marines who would live or die by his decisions. Marlantes survived, but like many of his brothers in arms, he has spent the last forty years dealing with his war experience.

    Lynn says: "Destined to become a Classic"
    "A Wonderful Perspective Into a Philospher Warrior"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    Mr Marlantes provides a rare glimpse into the mind of a Rhodes scholar who has experienced the extremes of war, and whose intellect allows him to share a deeper understanding of humanity and war. I cannot do his vision justice in this brief review, and recommend you give it a listen.


    Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

    Bronson's performance matches that of the Matterhorn, with its collection of entertaining voices, but here his voice talent shines in the many quotes from ancient foreign books and myths.


    Any additional comments?

    Previous reviews noted a wish for more gripping war stories per Mattehorn, but I was pleasantly surprised at the way he explained Matterhorn events as real life horrors for him - which made the book even more meaningful for me.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires

    • UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 10 mins)
    • By Tim Wu
    • Narrated By Marc Vietor
    Overall
    (579)
    Performance
    (300)
    Story
    (301)

    Could history repeat itself, with one giant entity taking control of American information? Most consider the Internet Age to be a moment of unprecedented freedom in communications and culture. But as Tim Wu shows, each major new medium, from telephone to cable, arrived on a similar wave of idealistic optimism only to become, eventually, the object of industrial consolidation profoundly affecting how Americans communicate.

    Neil says: "Very interesting history, biased conclusions"
    "Non-Fiction at its Best"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is why I love Non-Fiction. I had not heard of Tim Wu, but then I am not in the IT or media business. This was a unique 'documentary' (with a slight slant). He enlightened me on the guiding hands behind the 'gentle' media that molded many of us that are over 40. It is a thorough review of how telephony, radio, hollywood, TV came to be what the they were in the 1900's through benevolent (mostly) monopolistic czars. Tim also connects the dots on some amazing possible historical connections such as Nixon's support of cable TV. He is careful to qualify his connections, but the puzzle provides an eye opening analysis of Government influence in the media industry. I found it extremely interesting because of the lack of exposure I have had to this industry. He also treats us to more more fascinating ideas on the internet and the industry in the 2000's. Marc Vietor was also a pleasure to listen to as he almost sounded like and old AM radio announcer at times. I hope Tim has more up his slieve as I certainly want to hear more.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The 4 Percent Universe: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Race to Discover the Rest of Reality

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 6 mins)
    • By Richard Panek
    • Narrated By Ray Porter
    Overall
    (408)
    Performance
    (273)
    Story
    (268)

    Over the past few decades, a handful of scientists have been racing to explain a disturbing aspect of our universe: only four percent of it consists of the matter that makes up you, me, our books, and every star and planet. The rest is completely unknown. Richard Panek tells the dramatic story of the quest to find this “dark” matter and an even more bizarre substance called “dark energy”. This is perhaps the greatest mystery in all of science, and solving it will bring fame, funding, and certainly a Nobel Prize.

    Adam says: "Excellent survey of Cosmology and Astrophysics"
    "4% out of 100%"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I was very disappointed by this book. I have never given and do not like giving a book 1 star. I like to read non-fiction, science related books,but this was an unusually frustrating read. The author seemed to struggle between telling the very dry story of scientists fighting over credit for discoveries and the science behind discovering dark energy. I was ready to drop it after the first 4 hrs but kept reading to give it a chance, but it did not improve much. I still do not quite know what dark energy or dark matter is. I did learn about many very bright and driven scientists who you would hear about otherwise. I think it would help if you knew some basics about astronomy, dark energy and dark matter before picking this up. Ray Porter also does not fit this type of book - he tries to dramatize tedious fights between scientists over trivial details and it ends up sounding quite silly at times.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Power of Now

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 41 mins)
    • By Eckhart Tolle
    • Narrated By Eckhart Tolle
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (2559)
    Performance
    (696)
    Story
    (688)

    To make the journey into The Power of Now you need to leave your analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind. Access to the Now is everywhere - in the body, the silence, and the space all around you. These are the keys to enter a state of inner peace.

    annhere says: "AWE INSPIRING!"
    "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This book obviously resonates with many reviewers, but from the start I could not believe what I was hearing. Granted, I did not read the summaries thoroughly and was expected more scientifically oriented research and approach - not a search for the meaning of life. My interest is not in spiritually based books and I prefer the scientific approach. This author appears to have touched a key 'vibration' in many people searching for spirituality and if you are looking for answers to 'what & how we are deep inside?' - give it a try. Maybe someday, I may. Anyhow, he tends to repeat his main tenets ad nauseum and I got them the first couple of times. The question and answer sessions actually help, but it also portrays the author as God-like - sorry, enlightened guru - with his troubled followers. Hence my kool-aid reference. I agree with others that the audio quality was poor and his german accent had me expecting the Terminator to jump in with " I'll be back". Overall it introduced me to a new perspective so it was not all that bad - I just cannot buy in. If you are looking for answers - give it a read.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • A Feast for Crows: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book 4

    • UNABRIDGED (33 hrs and 56 mins)
    • By George R. R. Martin
    • Narrated By Roy Dotrice
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (3280)
    Performance
    (2922)
    Story
    (2931)

    Few books have captivated the imagination and won the devotion and praise of readers and critics everywhere as has George R. R. Martin’s monumental epic cycle of high fantasy that began with A Game of Thrones. Now, in A Feast for Crows, Martin delivers the long-awaited fourth book of his landmark series, as a kingdom torn asunder finds itself at last on the brink of peace . . . only to be launched on an even more terrifying course of destruction.

    Pi says: "Jarring change in Dotrice's performance"
    "Split Story and More Twists in the Road"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    George Martin has again tests our memory and patience by adding at least 2 more fronts to the campaign - and countless more people. The new people then require endless character and story development, and while the development is likely necessary for George's ultimate master plan, a little less descriptive prose and action would have suited me better.

    My above headline alludes to the fact that George has split the story geographically between Books 4 & 5 and thus some of our favourite characters do not appear until Book 5. I personally do not have interest in the Danayrius story so the absence of her character was a nice break, but am sure others will be disappointed. John Snow and Tyrion are also missing from Book 4.

    As noted by others, Role Dotrice's voice work has changed for some characters. This was slightly annoying at first, but I found I became used to it. It appears that years have past since he did Book 3 and I still think he is amazing.

    In summary, this is another intriguing chapter in the great George Martin saga which, just when you think the story cannot get more confusing, takes a couple more twists away from that teasing conclusion that we are waiting for. If you are fan - reading this is a no-brainer, just be patient.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • A Rumor of War

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 15 mins)
    • By Philip Caputo
    • Narrated By L. J. Ganser
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (175)
    Performance
    (96)
    Story
    (96)

    When it first appeared, A Rumor of War brought home to American readers, with terrifying vividness and honesty, the devastating effects of the Vietnam War on the soldiers who fought there. And while it is a memoir of one young man's experiences and therefore deeply personal, it is also a book that speaks powerfully to today's students about the larger themes of human conscience, good and evil, and the desperate extremes men are forced to confront in any war.

    Howard says: "Howie"
    "You have to stay with it"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The first half of the book documents the boredom of the war in painful detail and makes it difficult to stay with the book. The second half is much better as more incidents and action occurs. Philip's insightful commentary about the limits of man's endurance and the uselessness of the war is quite unique and while the concepts are far from new, he presented them in a unique & honest perspective of someone who lived the experiences.

    I was less than impressed with the narration and, while his delivery was good, the tone of L.J. Ganser's voice was not appealling for me. Others may not share my view and I suggest you sample it first. Finally, the frequent, silly, vocal war noises do not help the book and are distracting.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 49 mins)
    • By Brian Greene
    • Narrated By Brian Greene
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (627)
    Performance
    (295)
    Story
    (282)

    There was a time when “universe” meant all there is. Everything. Yet, in recent years discoveries in physics and cosmology have led a number of scientists to conclude that our universe may be one among many. With crystal-clear prose and inspired use of analogy, Brian Greene shows how a range of different “multiverse” proposals emerges from theories developed to explain the most refined observations of both subatomic particles and the dark depths of space.

    Michael says: "Greene is a great writer, but not a great reader"
    "Not as Easy Read but Thanks for Writing it!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is a fascinating explanation of the work of Top End Mathematicians and Physicists in understanding our universes and was a huge eye-opener for me. Although it made me feel quite inadequate in being able understand the fantastic concepts, Brian does a Yoeman's job in trying to bring it down to the layperson's understanding. The problem for me was that it just is not that easy to grasp for someone who thought he had had a scientifically oriented mind. Still, the high level concepts are well outlined and inter-related and it is no detraction on the author that these ideas are difficult to convey. My only suggestion would be for someone other that Brian to have narrated the book. You can tell he is passionate about the subject and it may have been easier to listen to, if a professional narrator delivered it.. Overall I feel thankful that someone tried to open my mind to these unbelievable realities.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 19 mins)
    • By Leslie Kean
    • Narrated By Heather Henderson
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (132)
    Performance
    (72)
    Story
    (72)

    With the support of former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, investigative reporter Leslie Kean draws on her research to separate fact from fiction and to lift the veil on decades of U.S. government misinformation. Throughout, she presents irrefutable evidence that unknown flying objects - metallic, luminous, and seemingly able to maneuver in ways that defy the laws of physics - actually exist.

    Chris says: "Good content, didn't care for narration"
    "Fascinating Content - Poor Delivery"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This audible book had interesting content and seemed to be the result of many hours of dedicated work. Although right from the start, the narrator started to put me to sleep. I never realized the value of the narrator until this book. To add to the challenge, the writer dragged out the stories and seemed to repeat facts throughout the book. Overall, the interesting subject kept me tuned in and I recommend it if you are prepared for a legal brief.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful

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